The Here and Now

Last week I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine about the business of how to return to ones blog when one has been absent for a period of time. She was telling me she hadn't blogged since February and really wanted to find her way back to it. My advice went something like this ::

1. Don't get caught up in the reasons for your absence. Don't feel you need to explain if you don't want to, and definitely don't fall over yourself to apologise. Blogs belong to the blogger, and gaps in the narrative are a natural part of writing a genuine, truthful blog which follows the ups and downs of life. There is no need to say sorry, or feel guilty.
2. Jump right in with something short and current rather than trying to back track and create a hefty "catch-up" post. Your blogging voice may well be a little bit croaky after a break and keeping things short and of-the-moment will be a good way to un-croak yourself. Lengthy catch ups and more specific posts can happen when you get back into the general swing of things.
3. Let the photos lead the way if the words aren't coming easy.

So......this is me sliding back gently into blogland and taking my own advice. Hellooooo!! I've missed this space, and am very glad to be back. The above photo was taken this morning on my daily tramp into the woods. It's been a warm and muggy day today with a heavy feeling in the air, as if it needs to really pour with rain but can't quite manage to make it happen.

I found a beautiful feather on the woodland path today and had to bring it home to add to my collection - it's the super-tall dark black feather in the above photo. Actually, it's a very, very dark blue rather than being black but you only see the blue hue when it catches the light. Needless to say, even though I tried to be very stealthy about introducing it into the house, Tilly has already sniffed it out and had it onto the floor. I have no idea why I'm so surprised.

I've had a jug of white stocks on my table this week and the scent they bring to the room is heavenly. 

I took the above photo to share on Instagram this morning, for no other reason than to document the joy my dining room shelves are delivering to me at the moment. After a very long spell of them making me feel very frustrated and irritated, I finally decided last month to put some effort in and and sort them out. I performed a major declutter, re-organised all my things, and finally managed to tame the chaos. 

I had a long overdue clear out of my books and donated some huge bags to our local Oxfam Bookshop which felt wonderful. Owning less books has given me more shelf space and now that it's pretty tidy and clutter-free on those shelves I'm working hard to try and keep it that way. Daily diligence is needed, honestly, it's a full time job. I check on them every single day and make sure to re-home anything that lands there and doesn't belong. Who even am I??!

Funny thing, I took some before and after photos whilst this was all going on because I also tackled the twin Cupboards of Doom at the same time. I've just looked back at the photos and gasped out loud - it was really pretty bad here for a while last month when everything was in utter chaos. I might be brave and show you - is this something that you'd be curious about, the behind the scenes state of my messy home that you don't usually get to see? Would you like to see inside my cupboards which are no longer doom-filled? Let me know eh?

I'm currently dragging myself back into healthy eating after way too much over indulgence during the past few months. Artisan sourdough bread has a lot to answer for, as does chocolate. I've discovered that gluten and sugar are really not good for my body these days, both my mood/energy levels and my joints really start acting up if I eat too much of it. So I'm diggin' deep for some self discipline this week and thankful for our weekly trips to the market and the delicious fresh produce we can purchase. Natural fruit sugars are wonderful....I keep telling myself this, as I sit and fantasise about eating a piece of cake.

As well as daily shelf-clutter checks, I'm now also performing daily plantlet checks as I've got actual living things growing in my back yard that are making me so bloomin' happy. Lots of flowers are now in residence, and I'll show you some more photos very soon. For now, please do appreciate how healthy my sweet peas are looking - this is one of three big pots I've got going on out there, and I am mothering them to death. My plant babies. 

And in crochet news, my Yuletide blanket is slowly but surely growing and I am very in love with it. Coopers café re-opened a few weeks ago after being closed since the start of the year, and I am so happy to be back. It's not back to the full social group of old yet as we are still restricted to sitting in small groups of 6, but it's a step in the right direction.

This week I'm also working behind the scenes on the design of another blanket project but annoyingly I can't show you just yet. On the whole though, I've been enjoying some slow down time during the past few months and haven't done much crochet at all. I've been percolating some ideas though, and there is a list of things I want to make - an actual list written on paper, not just free floating inside my messy head space, so that's something. I very much hope that June will treat me better than May did, I lost my way for a while last month, it' was a tricksy, emotional month for various reasons. 

Well, I'm so happy to be back here and I promise to not be so quiet and croaky-voiced and will come back very soon to chat some more. Back soon...........xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Comments

[Lynne Stankard]

Welcome back Lucy - you have been missed. Lovely to hear from you again and the 'sneak peak' of your Yuletide blanky is gorgeous! I can appreciate your cupboard of "Doom" - at the moment I have a Room of Doom (to long to explain!) all I have to do is get a bit of energy,not too good at the moment. Loving your shelves - the colours are wonderful. So pleased you can get your capaccino again - it's the little things isn't it? Take care Lucy xxx

[Lesley Shaw]

Lucy, I would never in a million years have known that you lived in a terraced house. Your pics always give me the feeling of space. So beautifully do you fill your space with your crocheted 'stuff' that one thinks it's a huge area. The new 'back-yard' is gorgeous and the colours on the rugs are divine. Wish I could visit you. I'm in Wellington, New Zealand. Love your page and will visit your blog soon.
Lesley

[E T Hewitt]

Lucy, Thank you for your update! Your writing spurs me on! If only I had a cupboard of doom....I have an entire room of doom that needs going through with most of the stuff re-purposed, but oh well...the gardening needs to be done and the house cleaned instead. (Would rather be outside anyway) I pulled out the fried sweet peas this week in the 95+ degree heat. Think I only got about 15 flowers before the heat got to them. Not much crochet going on, but I miss it. I would rather be hiking in the Arizona desert or Mogollon(muggie-own) Rim in the pines, but alas, too far away! Love the pictures of your treks.

[Emily Durling]

I’ve missed you Lucy. Kept checking in and whilst I loved those blossom trees they came to make me a bit sad because it meant you hadn’t been back since.

[Anita Davies]

Welcome back Lucy 😊 Love the look of your Yuletide blanket! When will this pattern be available?

[Jan]

This made me laugh- I too have a cupboard of doom! You were very brave to de clutter, well done. Lovely to hear your stories 💝

[Kristine S]

❤🥰 hugs lovely Lucy❣🤗

[Jools Morgan-Jones]

It's great to have you back, Lucy :-)

[Michele De La Cruz]

Welcome back friend, we've missed your smile in your words. Blessings to you and your family from Sunny California, hugs, michele

[Lynn Dee Butler]

So great to have you back! Good advise you gave your friend. Your blog friends are just happy to hear from you when you can! Life sometimes gets in the way of plans. Not necessarily a bad thing to have happen.

I would personally love to see before and after pictures of shelf doom! My reasons are selfish. It makes me feel better to know that I am not the only one with clutter and piles. And I’m encouraged to neaten and tidy my piles when I see your organized shelves. I know I have too much stuff, but it’s hard to let go isn’t it?!

Love the colors in the Yuletide blanket. Can’t wait to see your new project. I am just starting the Hydrangea blanket for my cousin. I finished the Meadow blanket in May as a bday gift for a friend. She loves it! I’m missing my nightly crochet so I’m really excited to have something started again. I so happy when I’m in the middle of a project. Your blankets give me so much joy, happiness and squishy color love. Your blankets are really special! Yes I do the crochet but the color story and pattern is all you!

Thankies for you! Lynn

[Serena Lewis]

Hello from Australia!

Glad to see you back...I had a 6 month break from my own blog so I get what you're saying. It happens.

Lovely photos...beautiful Yuletide blanket. I remember learning how to crochet the ripple blankets from you quite a few years ago. I still love to do them. :)

Enjoy the rest of your week,
Serena :)

[Bonnie]

Your tidied space looks beautiful! I imagine it brings you joy every time you see it. I enjoy Before and After photos of spaces if you'd like to share them.

[Kate Brown]

Hello from North Carolina in the US. Love reading your blog posts, they give me such inspiration. Also adore your color selections and crochet patterns. Eagerly awaiting the post for the Yuletide blanket. - Kate

[Beverley]

Love to read your blog posts when you feel able to share your thoughts and pictures.
Hope the Sweet peas keep growing for you, they do look very healthy. I always tell my hubby that I'm going to check on my garden babies too. What am I like!!
Have a good week Lucy wherever it takes you x

[Amanda]

Lovely reading your blog, thanks for the beautiful photos and chat. Just finished your Neat Summer Ripple, a joy to make such a lovely rhythm and jolly colours. It’s all ready for my July granddaughter. Thanks again love your blog and your amazing designs, along with your brilliant step by step photo tutorials. Kindest regards Amanda

[Nora MxGrann]

Loved this blog Lucy..
Your home looks wonderful and I am sure you must sit back and admire all the beautiful things therein..
Everyone needs time out..you deserve yours, as you are always so generous ..
Continued happiness..and a big THANK YOU! 👏🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Kathy Anderson-Scott]

Hiya Lucy...good to hear from you! Like most people I am just glad to know you are getting by and doing what you can to get through these difficult times.
I think most of us are in the same boat one way or another. Too much comfort food, middle age (flipping horrible hormone decline)and clutter seem to be a recurring theme in many of our lives!
You continue to bring joy and colour to so many lives on a daily basis with your crochet patterns scattered around homes across the world. My husband commented tonight that the best bit about going to bed in winter time (we're in NZ) is snuggling under the granny stripe blanket, my very first Attic24 creation.
Of course we would love to see your 'before' pictures!! :-D ..my house is very much still there and it would be great to be inspired by the transformation.
So happy for you that you are back in the better weather and that is always good for the spirits.
Just know you are very loved and appreciated, post when you feel like it, your followers are surely like good old friends who will always be around regardless of the length of time of contact. Take care of yourself xx

[Winifred Waite]

Lovely photos Lucy thanks for sharing them.

I love stocks, wish there was a perfume for that gorgeous smell.

Don't worry about breaks in the blog, as mentioned it's yours, so post when you feel like it. People are just pleased to see you are fine.

Enjoy the summer!

[Leslie]

So happy to have a new post from you! I love your photos and the peaceful and lovely outdoor spaces you share. Your organizing project may nudge me back into some decluttering….I loathe it, as I ponder and often fret over each item I consider discarding. But I love the “after”!
I wish you a wonderful June!
Be well!

[Charlotte Pountney]

Good to have you back, Lucy! that feather looks as though it belongs in a raven's wing; beautiful! Sugar and wheat have that effect on me, too...and I find chocolate irresistible, too...it surely has something addictive in it. It IS hard to stay on top of decluttering. I was doing really well in my kitchen, until a recent invasion of ants. Now the contents of the cupboards are strewn over the worktops, as I struggle to remove their pheromone trails. It feels like War of the Worlds!

[Drusilla cleary]

Great to read your blog again. Kept me going through lockdown

[Connie]

Been reading your blog for years here in US.

Anything you post is welcome. Of course we want to see your before and after tidying.

I,too, have had to give up moist gluten and sugar due to joint pain. Very sad and hard!

[Nese]

Glad to see you are back! All the color in your photos was lovely to see this morning.

[kate bates]

Cheer us up even more than you already do...show us the DOOM! xx

[Jo]

We have a field behind our house, and recently, somewhat inspired by you, I realised I should be properly calling it a Meadow (which sounds so much nicer!) and examining it more closely. So I did, and took some wonderful close up picture of flowers and bees (was hoping I could post a pic but not sure I can).

Anyway, thank you for that fun exploration, and very glad to see you back.